Wellington, Aug 28 NZPA - Heartland champions Wanganui were more than happy to take four points with a 13-6 win over South Canterbury in an uninspiring 80 minutes of wet-weather rugby in Wanganui today.

Wanganui gained enough superiority in the first half to lead 10-3 at the break, and never really looked threatened when playing into the wind in the second spell.

Wanganui would dearly love a firm ground to display the wares which saw them score twice as many tries as any other team in last year's competition, but coach Guy Lennox said his team would just have to learn to play in the wet.

Waikato import TK Moeke produced one of the few bright patches in the game with a first-half break that saw winger Sam Scown scamper across for the game's only try.

Lock forward John Smyth dominated the lineouts for the home side, tighthead prop Shaun McDonough was the most explosive player on either side, and fledgling No 8 Adam Roe quickly learnt his craft to produce a strong second-half effort.

South Canterbury never looked like scoring a try, instead relying on a solid forward effort and the boot of Christchurch Jason Merrett at first five-eighth.

In the end that was not enough to threaten last year's champions.

Wanganui 13 (Sam Scown try, Mark Davis 2 pen, con) beat South Canterubry 6 (Jason Merrett 2 pen). Halftime: 10-3.